Plant estrogen, or phytoestrogen, is a non-steroidal compound found in plants that has similar effects to human estrogen. It is not considered a nutrient but is found in foods like soybeans and flaxseeds. Research has shown potential benefits for menopausal symptoms and diabetes, but its effects on breast cancer are still unclear.
Plant estrogen, also often called phytoestrogen, is a naturally occurring non-steroidal compound in plants that shares a similar chemical structure to estradiol compounds, estrogen as it occurs in the human body. A non-steroidal compound does not contain fat-soluble steroidal compounds that have physiological effects on the human body. Although plant estrogen is not exactly the same as human estrogen, its effects on the human body are similar. In general, these plant hormones do not have exactly the same chemical makeup as human hormones and may be weaker, so they have less, but potentially significant, effect on the body. Plant estrogen is not considered a nutrient, like vitamins or minerals, and does not play a role in any important biological function in the body.
There are four main groups of phytoestrogens: isoflavones, flavones, coumestans, and lignans. Isoflavones, flavones, and coumestans are all flavonoids. This means that the chemical structure of plant pigments has antioxidant properties. Foods that contain the highest amount of plant estrogen include soybeans, tofu, tempeh, soy beverages, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, and oats.
Discovered in 1926, plant estrogen was first observed only as part of plant biology, and was supposed to have little or no effect on human or animal physiology. As research continued, the scientists found that the high levels of plant estrogen in red clover had mild effects on the fertility and reproductive systems of grazing sheep. Although the amount of estrogen contained in a plant is much less than that found in the human body, the sheep consumed large amounts of red clover daily and were therefore affected by the estrogen in the plants.
Subsequent research has been done on plant estrogen and its possible beneficial or harmful effects on the body, specifically in relation to diabetes and breast cancer. After several studies, scientists are still unclear whether phytoestrogen can cause or prevent breast cancer. However, it has been shown to have a positive influence on women experiencing the effects of menopause, such as hot flashes, breast pain, and mood. Subsequent research has suggested that the consumption of plant-based estrogens has a beneficial effect in diabetic or clinically obese people. These studies have shown that ingesting these compounds can improve glucose control and insulin resistance, as well as moderate hyperglycemia and reduce a person’s body weight.
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